What is a leader? A leader is a role model. A leader is powerful, brave, influential and
responsible. And in Madagascar, a leader
is predominantly male. In Malagasy
culture, men hold the power as the head of the household, the bread winner, and
the decision maker. One morning, I
started my tenth grade English class the way I always did, by asking the date
and introducing the topic of the day: Opinions.
When we were practicing debates, I jokingly asked my tenth graders who
was better, men or women. I was shocked
when the majority of the class including the girls immediately decided the
answer was men. When I asked why, I got
a variety of answers all leading to the same thing. Men are leaders. Men can have whatever job they want to
have. Men can continue to go to
school. Men can make rules. Men don’t have to worry about getting
pregnant. When I played devil’s advocate
and said women can also do those things, the response was unanimous, “Not in Madagascar.” In that moment, I recognized a need for
gender equality and leadership training.
